It is my opinion that a dental assistant should not be able to scale tartar deposits at any level of practice as it would infringe upon the duties and even cause damage to what hygienists have taken an oath to accomplish in patient care.  While I am aware that they would receive training, that particular duty is one that plays a crucial role in the patients oral hygiene, which we as hygienists have been adequately trained to address.  Scaling can become a fairly invasive process in certain patients and should not be addressed as a simple procedure.  If tartar is not treated with the care and respect that hygienists are trained and educated about in order to maximize quality care and treatment, then I personally don't feel that we are doing our job in the profession.  It is my oath to uphold my belief in the high quality of care that I was trained to perform; therefore, I cannot do anything less than voice my absolute opposition to this aspect of the proposition.